Collaboration

Columbia University Medical Center dedicated the $70 million Vagelos Education Center in June of 2016 in New York City. Designed by Diller, Scofidio + Renfro in collaboration with executive architect Gensler, the 14-story, 100,000-sf facility provides technology-rich classrooms, an advanced simulation center, collaborative learning areas, a 275-seat auditorium, a café, and a student commons. LEED Gold certification will be sought for the project, which features a transparent design with abundant natural light.

The University of Michigan is constructing the $261 million Biological Science Building in Ann Arbor. Designed by SmithGroup JJR and Ennead Architects, the 300,000-gsf facility will provide open, flexible laboratories for collaborative research as well as classrooms, offices, and a vivarium. The building is sited adjacent to the existing Life Sciences Institute to which it will physically connect. The general contractor for the project is Barton Malow Company and completion is expected in 2018.

Augustana University is building the $35 million Froiland Science Complex in Sioux Falls, S.D. Designed by SmithGroupJJR and TSP, the project includes 43,000 sf of new construction as well as renovation of the Gilbert Science Center. Accommodating programs in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and physics, the complex is designed to put science on display and will feature ‘classatories’ or conjoined classroom/lab spaces.

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point broke ground on its $75 million Science Building in May of 2016. Designed by HOK and Potter Lawson to promote visibility and transparency, the four-story, 176,500-sf facility will provide teaching and research labs for biology and chemistry. Flexible instructional spaces with moveable furniture will accommodate a variety of learning styles in two 98-seat lecture halls, three 48-seat classrooms, and two 24-seat classrooms.

Rutgers University broke ground on the $84 million Richard Weeks Hall of Engineering in May of 2016. The 105,000-sf facility represents the first phase of a planned engineering complex and will act as a gateway to the Busch campus in Piscataway, N.J. Designed by The S/L/A/M Collaborative, the interdisciplinary teaching and research building will provide smart classrooms, wet and dry labs, a cleanroom, a high bay lab, offices, conference rooms, interaction space, and a team-based learning (TBL) lecture hall.

Columbia University is building the 450,000-sf Jerome L. Greene Science Center in New York City. Designed by Renzo Piano, the interdisciplinary facility will promote creative collaboration among scientists with inviting interaction areas and laboratories arranged in connected quadrants. The Greene Science Center is the first structure on Columbia's 17-acre Manhattanville campus and is funded in part by a $250 million donation.

Brigham Young University began construction in May of 2016 on a new home for the Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology in Provo, Utah. Funded entirely by donors, the $80 million facility will feature a dedicated laboratory annex, a student innovation floor, and a prototyping shop.

Pennsylvania State University will break ground in summer of 2017 on a $144 million chemical and biomedical engineering building in University Park. Designed by HOK to promote interaction and collaboration, the 193,000-sf facility will replace the existing Fenske and Hallowell buildings where the departments of chemical engineering and biomedical engineering are currently located. The LEED-certified project will provide open research labs, a large lecture hall, classrooms, and administrative offices. Occupancy is expected in early 2019.

Johns Hopkins Medicine is building the 225,000-sf Education and Research Facility at All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Fla. Designed by HDR, the project will provide 30,000 sf of research and laboratory space, 30,000 sf of instructional space, 50,000 sf of office and administrative space, a 20,000-sf collaboration area, a 400-seat auditorium, and a biorepository.

The University of Texas at Arlington will begin construction in fall of 2016 on the $125 million Science and Engineering Innovation and Research Building. Designed by Page and ZGF Architects to support collaborative, team-based learning and discovery, the six-story, 220,000-sf facility will provide two floors of instructional space, with research activities occupying four floors and a basement level.

Vassar College completed construction in spring of 2016 on the $125 million Integrated Science Commons in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Designed by Ennead Architects, the project features the 82,000-sf Bridge for Laboratory Sciences, a teaching and research building that spans a ravine.

EMD Serono broke ground in May of 2016 on a $12 million expansion of its biopharmaceutical manufacturing campus in Billerica, Mass. Accommodating 120 employees, the two-story, 30,000-sf facility will support the development of advanced therapies for the treatment of cancer and immunological conditions. The project will be constructed as an extension of the existing Sagamore Building and will feature open-plan work areas, a central auditorium, and numerous meeting spaces, including bleacher seating for spontaneous collaboration and interaction.

Chapman University broke ground on the $130 million Center for Science and Technology in late April of 2016 in Orange, Calif. Accommodating the Schmid College of Science and Technology and the Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences, the three-story, 140,000-sf facility will provide advanced teaching and research space for biology, chemistry, biochemistry, physics, math, computational science, food science, psychology, and health science.

Assumption College broke ground in April of 2016 on a $15 million, 60,000-sf academic building in Worcester, Mass. Designed by Nault Architects, the facility will provide seminar rooms, study areas, a technology-rich performance hall with 400 seats, and 13 classrooms for team-based learning. Occupancy of the sustainably designed building is expected in fall of 2017.

Pacific Northwest National Lab (PNNL) will begin construction by late 2016 on the 24,000-sf Collaboration Center in Richland, Wash. The $9.8 million facility will enable PNNL to host conferences and workshops as well as promoting interaction between researchers and staff, and will offer formal and informal meeting areas, breakout rooms, a café, and a 450-seat event space. The design-build project team includes TVA Architects and Fowler General Construction.